Elaheh Aghdassi

Toronto Western Hospital Canada

Dr. Aghdassi is an Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto in Canada. She is also an Affiliated Scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute, a Registered Dietitian and a Senior Scientific Associate at The University Health Network. Dr. Aghdassi obtained a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences from The University of Toronto in 1995. She has then immediately started her research and been actively involved in research related to Nutrition, Metabolism and Quality of Life in the field of chronic diseases in Canada. She has brought a unique and original contribution to research in HIV using her skills as a translational researcher and nutritionist. Dr. Aghdassi has 44 publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented more than 150 abstracts at national and international scientific meetings many of which are related to HIV with focus on nutrition and lifestyle behaviors in improving oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.

Elaheh Aghdassi

1books edited

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Latest work with IntechOpen by Elaheh Aghdassi

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a complex illness affecting the immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an advanced form of HIV infection in which the patient has developed opportunistic infections or certain types of cancer and/or the CD4+ T cell count has dropped below 200/μL. More than 40 million persons around the world are infected with HIV, with approximately 14,000 new infections every day. The disease causes 3 million deaths worldwide each year, 95% of them in developing countries. Optimal management of human immunodeficiency virus requires strict adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) regimens, but the complexity of these regimens (e.g., pill burden, food requirements, drug interactions, and severe adverse effects) limits effective treatment. However, more patients with HIV are surviving longer today because of these drugs. This allows further study of commonly associated adverse effects. These may affect all body systems and range from serious toxicities to uncomfortable but manageable events. This book reviews some of HAART-related metabolic and neurological complications.

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